The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - Montclair junior forward Brittany Cooper has been back with the Mounties for only four games, but her presence on the soccer pitch has already been felt in a huge way.

Cooper, who had to sit out a state-mandated 30 days after transferring from Blair Academy, led the Mounties by scoring two goals in a span of 53 seconds in the first half to beat Millburn High School 2-0 in the Super Essex County Tournament semifinals.

Despite the game being scoreless for the first 37 minutes, Montclair dominated offensively, controlling the pace of the game, but momentum shifted both ways due in part to the play of the opposing keeper.

Millburn goalie Courtney Brosnan made three saves on would-be goals, including a full out diving stop to rob Montclair junior Alegra Lopez of the game’s first goal with 9:40 remaining in the first period.

“We had our opportunities but when you have a player of that nature, a girl that’s real tough like that in the cage, she can make some big saves and its easy to get frustrated,” Montclair head coach Chris Johnson said. “I was proud of the girls, they didn’t and they kept chipping away. We found a way to get it done.”

It was not until the final minute of the first half’s scheduled time that the Mounties were able to break through on Brosnan, when Cooper hit a ground ball into the back of the net.

With the goal still fresh in her team’s mind, Cooper connected again, this time off a loose ball from a corner kick to give Montclair a 2-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Johnson said Cooper will be a key player for the Mounties going forward because of her ability to score.

“We know that one of her skills is her ability to put the ball in the back of the net, that’s something we’re going to ride as long as we can,” he said. “She’s relatively fresh. That’s our 15th game in a short period time, we have girls that are really banged up right now and Brittany’s not. 

We expect her to carry the load for us offensively right now.”

Montclair, who has played in the County Final game in each of the last six years, will face Livingston High School for the third straight season on Saturday.